OH What A Night it’s going to be for musical star Ryan Molloy . . . he’s up for a national award.

The actor has been wowing theatre lovers in London’s legendary West End with his fantastic turn as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys, which tells the story of Motown sensations The Four Seasons and their links to the Mafia.

And tonight Ryan, of North Shields, North Tyneside, will be at the Prince Edward Theatre in London – where Jersey Boys is playing – to hear if he has won the Best Actor in a Musical accolade from whatsonstage.com, the coveted awards which are decided by theatre goers themselves.

The 33-year-old actor and singer, told how he hopes to win the award for his dad Bob, who celebrates his 70th birthday today.

He said: “My parents, Bob and Winnie, are coming down from Newcastle to London tonight to cheer me on. I really hope I can win the award for my dad, it would be a great birthday present for him.

“This award is more important than any other because it’s voted for by theatre goers themselves.”

As well as his whatsonstage.com nomination, Ryan is also in line for a prestigious Olivier Award, London theatreland’s equivalent of the Oscars.

Ryan — who has already won an Olivier Award for best supporting actor in 2004 for Jerry Springer: The Opera — is up for the best musical actor award, alongside stars from La Cage Aux Folles and Zorro.

He told of his delight at the nomination.

He said: “It’s a fantastic honour to get a mention in such prestigious awards and I’m in competition with some great actors. It’s testament to everyone involved with Jersey Boys too because the show has been nominated for five awards in total.

“We’ve had to work through some testing moments but we’ve pulled together as a team and there’s a real buzz surrounding it.

“Everyone wants to know about the Four Seasons now, and the amount of repeat business is amazing. People just keep coming back again and again to see us.

“Hopefully, we’ll bring Jersey Boys on tour soon, maybe in 2010 or 2011, so we may get to North theatres yet.”